Review: Deon Meyer – Cobra

On June 30, 2014October 20, 2014 By SarahIn Reviews

Deon Meyer writes very successful thrillers set in post-apartheid South Africa. He is most famous for Trackers, a book that bought him worldwide acclaim and which was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger in 2012. His books form a loosely based series with a set of characters that interweave through the narratives. His latest novel, Cobra, brings back Benny Griessel to investigate a series of assassinations.

A British scientist is kidnapped from a guest house on a Franschoek vineyard. The two bodyguards who were protecting him are found murdered along with the body of an estate worker. The most significant clue left behind at the crime scene are bullet cartridges engraved with the image of a spitting cobra. When another brutal murder takes place, with similar cobra embossed cartridges left at the scene, it is a race against time to find a small-time thief who has in his possession a phone that the killers want.

Unlike some of Meyer’s earlier books, Cobra has a straightforward linear narrative. The story focuses on the tension that arises when Tyrone Kleinbooi, a professional pickpocket, attempts to extract as much as he can from the circumstances. While this makes the narrative fast paced, it does detract from the quality of the investigation that we would normally expect in Meyer’s books. I would have preferred less focus on Tyrone and more on Griessel and his team.

Meyer is a great chronicler of modern day South Africa and he always maintains a clear eyed view of how justice works in the country. I enjoyed Cobra. It’s perhaps not his best book but still a tense paced thriller.

Thanks to Hodder for my review copy. Cobra is published in the UK on the 31st July. The translator was K L Seegers.

13 thoughts on “Review: Deon Meyer – Cobra”

bernadetteinoz

I am looking forward to this one. Meyer is one of those authors who even when not at his best is still well worth reading

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June 30, 2014 at 12:23 pm Reply
1. Sarah
  
  I totally agree, Bernadette.
  
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  July 2, 2014 at 4:51 pm Reply
Margot Kinberg

Sarah – This does sound like a good solid thriller, And Meyer at his weakest is heaps better than lots of others at their best. Onto the list this one goes.

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June 30, 2014 at 12:40 pm Reply
1. Sarah
  
  Great. Thanks, Margot.
  
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  July 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm Reply
crimeworm

I’ve not read Meyer yet; this review makes his writing sound tempting, though perhaps not this particular book to begin with. What would I do without your guidance Sarah!

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June 30, 2014 at 12:45 pm Reply
1. Sarah
  
  Start with Trackers which is a wonderful book!
  
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  July 2, 2014 at 4:58 pm Reply
Jose Ignacio

Sarah – Thanks very much for your review. I’m very much looking forward to reading Cobra, even if Meyer is not at his very best.

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June 30, 2014 at 2:43 pm Reply
1. Sarah
  
  I’ll look forward to your review, Jose.
  
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  July 2, 2014 at 4:59 pm Reply
Moira Redmond

I’m still waiting to read Trackers! Will get there eventually, and then move on to other works by him….

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June 30, 2014 at 8:09 pm Reply
1. Sarah
  
  Thanks!
  
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  July 2, 2014 at 5:00 pm Reply
TracyK

I have only read one of his books, the first one, Dead Before Dying. I plan to read more. Good to hear that so many readers have a high opinion of his books.

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July 3, 2014 at 7:22 am Reply
1. Sarah
  
  Yes, Meyer is a very good writer.
  
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  July 3, 2014 at 7:08 pm Reply
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